Ed

Lisa Boyce

Why can’t you just take a bite
my voice is as steady as I can make it
It won’t change you.
she sits across from me
a table between us
a single cookie away.
I want to jump across that space
shake her, scream until I’m mute
I want to hug her back into existence
I want. . .
I don’t. I can’t. this is her battle, all I can do is watch and plead, somedays I encourage.
not now. I am desperate.
her eyes go dark.
No
she is not listening, not to me.
Ed has her attention, that cookie might as well be a 9-course meal.
the air grows thick, dense
I reach out and cut her a slice.
residual emotions
spices
they are umami.